Reading This Halloween

Below are a some of the books I am hoping to get to this Halloween. I am unlikely to get to them all but I hope to make a decent enough dent in this pile. Have you picked any ghoulishly good reads for Halloween???

 

 

The Book I Won Yay!!!!

Above is the book I won on a competition over on Youtube that the fabulous 1Book1Review was having very recently . Thanks so much for my lovely book !!!!!! xxxxx

Check out this awesome lady's channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/1book1review?feature=watch

Department 19 by Will Hill

This story was soooooo good that the further I read the more excited I got about it. Jamie is a young man who is a loner in this world. He was not always that way. One night changed all that. Things would never be the same for him and his mother after that.
The story is action packed from the very beginning with a very likeable main character and other fascinating characters around him that may sound familiar to previous fans of Bram Stokers Dracula and Frankenstein. If you have read either of those two books you will get even more from this story.
The plot is very very good and there is not a dull moment throughout the book. We see the story in two different ways, Modern day ,and in the past told though the previous relatives of the current families in Department 19.
Department 19 is top secret and inside it's walls are the some of the bravest fighters that the world needs to keep people safe. Of course no one knows of it's existence and neither did Jamie until things in his life took a drastic turn for the worst and only Department 19 could help.

I won this over on Goodreads!!

Trinity Tales. Trinity College Dublin In The Eighties.Edited by Katy McGuinness.

I was thrilled when I was offered Trinity Tales for review. Growing up in Ireland you often heard mention of this great college .This book edited by Katy McGuinness and with a foreword by Mary McAleese gave me a wonderful insight into the college and the history of Ireland at that time.
This book written by some past students giving their own account of Trinity really made the college come alive for me . We get a look at  all the local hangouts, lecturers , watering holes and all the shenanigans  that we all love to hear about student life.
Apart from an education , many friendships were made , cemented here, and often lasted a lifetime. The one thing that really stood out through reading this book was the fondness that each past student wrote about the college and the remarkable life experience it gave them.
Ireland at that time was going though a recession and there were many people emigrating , contraception was frowned upon and the troubles were constantly in the news but behind the walls of the college were young people from every walk of life, north and south of the border , and more and more often from even further afield. This was a  changing Ireland and these students were in its capital  at that time to see it first hand. A very interesting read with plenty of humour !

I received this book for review by the kind folks over at The Lilliput Press.

You can find them and this book below.
http://www.lilliputpress.ie/book/144232557/edited_by_katy_mcguinness_-trinity_tales_trinity_college_dublin_in_the_eighties.html

Murder Of A Barbie And Ken by Denise Swanson. Review. Audible.

Murder Of  Barbie And Ken

I finished this book this week in record time for an audiobook . This was my first time listening to one of Denise's books through Audible. The narrator for this series is Christine Leto and she is fabulous! Christine really brings all the characters to life and makes the story even more enjoyable if that is even possible.
In this story Skye has joined the  Gumbettes and Simon has joined the Grand Union Of The Mighty Bulls so they are getting to know all the wealthy and popular people in their community and some are definitely nicer then others. The setting is the colder months in Scumble river and there seems to be a lot going on under the icy exterior of the town.
Close knit groups , backstabbing and relationship problems and the odd crime or two are just a few of the things that Skye is going to come across  in this awesome book 5 in the Scumble river series.
I truly love this series and it's characters and a lot of the regular characters were back in this story making it a lot like greeting old friends again. If you have yet to read this series I highly recommend it!

A Goodreads Book I Won

I recently won this book on Goodreads . Department 19 by Will Hill is a YA book and I started it yesterday and I can't put it down!!! Sooo good!!

 

 

                                                     I love the detail where the eyes are!

A Night On The Orient Express by Veronica Henry

A Night On The Orient Express

I have always been a fan of Veronica Henry but this book just cemented those feelings. As soon as I had finished reading it I added it on to my favourite list on Goodreads.
The story is about multiple people/relationships , they each have their own sections in the books but all are in a way linked to each other. These characters were wonderful and although the entire book is not based on the Orient Express there is enough of the story based there to make you fall in love with this train ....ahhhh the glamour!!! ...sigh.....
All types of relationships are evident in the story and each one will capture your heart one way or the other. Veronica Henry is exceptionally good at creating characters that you care for and I love that about her. The descriptions of the journey on board the train and Venice was soothing and relaxing and this book really felt like an indulgent treat to read with a few surprises thrown in that made me smile. A feel good story that I urge you all to pick up or order at the library.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17170102-a-night-on-the-orient-express

Butterflies in November by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir

This was one of the most charming books I have read in quite a while with a wonderfully surprising plot and characters. The story is about a woman who has had some dreadful luck very recently and when she is asked to do a rather large favour by her best friend Audur she accepts and  you can quickly see  that you are going to be in for a whirlwind of a story. The narrator has a dark comical sense of humour which makes the entire book a joy to read ,her humour is carried on throughout the story and so by the time you reach the end you have a lovely warm feeling inside from this feel good story. The narrator is really on a journey both physically and  emotionally and little did she believe that spending time with a little boy called Tumi with his own struggles would help her get through her own.
This is definitely an author to get excited about with a charming writing style .. Go read this!

I was kindly given this book for review by the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk.
This book will be published in November 2013 and can be found at lovereading.co.uk and other book stores then.
If you would like to see this book and read a free excerpt then please find the link below.
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9498/Butterflies-in-November-by-Audur-Ava-Olafsdottir-Petra-Borner.html

Goodreads Book, Library Sale, Other Good Stuff And Some Kittens!!!

It gets so dark so early now that thankfully my favourite hobby (reading) can still be accommodated.
Tonight as you can see by the picture there is a lovely full moon over Ireland and you can almost see a face on it... magical....

Anyway...getting on to what I wanted to talk to you guys about..books....
A book I won on Goodreads and it arrived this week.I was thrilled as I love Sinead's writing style.Review to follow...

Next there was a teeny tiny book sale on at my local library and I picked up.....

 Blonde.. A Novel by Joyce Carol Oates

It is huge!!!! I may need the extra large fluffy cushion to hold up this beast of a book... This shall be my upper body workout in the next few weeks. 738 pages...Yikes!!!!

Next I picked a few books up at a local used book store.

                                                       The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

 Like I need another copy of this book...my reasoning... I did not have any other edition with this cover... No Judging people!!!!

                                               A Company Of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

                                                   Passing Under Heaven by Justin Hill

And to finish this post here is some kittens....Yep they are mine...we are missing one of them who was having a snooze when picture was being taken.

 From Left to Right we have Agatha, Enid and Hercule...Yes I name my pets after literary characters and writers.

               Poor Enid is squashed a little...no pets were harmed during their photo being taken :0)

Denise Swanson Book Haul

Look at my gorgeous books that arrived this week. I am still waiting on more but I had a big smile on my face when these beauties arrived. These books are all part of the Scumble River Mystery Series.

                                         Murder Of A Creped Suzette by Denise Swanson( Book 14)

                                            Murder Of A Sleeping Beauty by Denise Swanson( Book 3)

                                        Murder Of A Snake In The Grass by Denise Swanson(Book 4)

                                       Murder Of A Smart Cookie by Denise Swanson(Book 7)

                                        Murder Of A Pink Elephant by Denise Swanson(Book 6)

A Life In Postcards by Melosina Lenox-Conyngham

A Life In Postcards (Edited by Sophia Grene)

I was not familiar with the person who this book was about when I started to read it . Now I can honestly say she was a real character that will be hard to forget. Melo as she was called to those who knew her well was born in Sri Lanka but grew up in Kilkenny, a strong woman who had a tremendous appetite for travel and stories and had a wonderful witty way about her. During the reading of this book there was many times that I had a smile on my face and wondered what it would have been like to sit down and talk with Melo and listen to her wonderful stories and the people she has met in her life and the out of way places that she placed herself...anyone for a nice headhunter???? I do mean Head Hunter!!!!
Yes, Melo was quite the lady. This was no shy and retiring person but one with tremendous gumption , energy,  and spirit who would be an absolute inspiration for those who already like to travel or those that only daydream about it. From glamorous places to the most remote corners Melo was there and had a story to tell  about it. New life experiences seemed to really be a driving force with Melo and she loved hearing about the adventures of others as well as sharing her own experiences.
When Melo tells you a story, you sit down quietly, sit still , and listen to what she has to say even if what she is saying is only written down, her way of communicating comes across so strong you can almost hear her talk to you directly and it is like spending time with a friend who is sharing juicy gossip.
Would I recommend this .... indeed I would. Spending time between these pages will lift your heart and put a smile on your face with many laugh out loud moments thoughout.


I was very kindly given this book for review by the kind folks over at The Lilliput Press. You can find them here :

http://www.lilliputpress.ie/book/144232551/edited_by_sophia_grene-a_life_in_postcards_the_writings_of_melosina_lenox-conyngham.html

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

What a wonderfully moving story this was!
 Before I read this book I had not read any reviews and I only had a brief glimpse at the back cover of the book so by the time I realised what the story was about I was completely hooked. This was one of those stories that you remember long after you have finished reading it.
Reading about concentration camps and the things that went on there is never going to be easy reading but this book will definitely get you thinking about the past and the people who really were in concentration camps
The characters in this story are stripped bare and at times very vulnerable so you do become attached to them and  you do care for them from early on in the book. I was surprised how choked up I got reading it. At times I had to put it down and let what I had read sink in. There was a lot of details that were heart breaking but told in Jodi's unique and very talented way of making you gasp as well as cry.
If you like a story that is more a journey, and takes you from the present to the past and back again while you sit on your seat mesmerised and completely immersed in  fictional characters and their world then go out and buy this book immediately or try and order it from your library !
This is a book to set time aside for.

Below please find a link to this book on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Storyteller-ebook/dp/B0096BJFD2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382037651&sr=1-1&keywords=jodi+picoult+the+storyteller

Hi There!

Hi buddies how are you all??
Is it just me or is anyone else enjoying the darker evenings and the chance to catch up on even more reading??I have a few books on the go right now and I am pleased to say I am really enjoying them all. If you are a fan of stories about books relating to Jane Austen and Janeites then def keep an eye on this blog this week as I will be chatting about a series I came upon recently and have loved.
In case you think I may have fallen off the planet, fear not , I am working on a few blog posts for on here and videos for my Youtube channel . The first of my posts will be up tomorrow guys . So what's everyone reading??

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. Review.

To say I adore this book is a vast understatement. I may turn into an actual book hugger if I don't put this book back on my shelf now that I have finished reading it. The characters, the plot development were all soooooooooooooooo good that I sometimes forget that there are great books like this. I started reading this book in the bath as I do with many of my books . Sometimes I am just intending to read a few pages to see what it is about or if it catches my attention. This book did just that and two bath refills later and pruny fingers and toes I was 3/4 of the way finished it. ODG I loved these characters. I want a Lincoln in my life( as a friend) . He is such a sweet, genuine, caring ,thoughtful, kind , funny, geeky, smart guy that I just wanted to bear hug from start to finish.
Lincoln's job is to read inner office emails and report on any that are inappropriate. He is not keen on his job but his job has got a lot better since he came across emails that were being sent back and forth from two friends Jennifer and Beth. These two ladies are emailing personal emails to each other with abandon and Lincoln is not reporting them but is in fact enjoying what they write, so much in fact that he begins to look out for them and begins to  feel really close to these two women.
I had no idea where the author was going to go with this plot but suck me in she did!!!
The first thing I did this morning was open my book and finish it, no breakfast was eaten no tea was drank until I knew about the welfare of my new favourite characters.
This book blew me away and just like Elinor and Park ( Rainbow's previous book) the characters lives and personalities have stayed with me. Rainbow Rowell is a very talented writer that I hope to see many many more books of hers in the future. She has made a life time  fan in me.

Murder Of A Stacked Librarian by Denise Swanson. Review.

Murder of a Stacked Librarian by Denise Swanson is book 16 in the Scumble River series. If this is your first visit to Scumble River then you are in for a real treat. It is Christmas time in the fictional town I love so well and beloved character Skye is getting married to the lovely Wally Boyd who is police chief in the town. Two things I love to read about more then anything else.. Christmas and weddings. ..sigh...awesome!!
So before any wedding can go ahead there is a shocking death of a local woman and unless Wally and Skye can find out how and why it happened their honeymoon won't be as enjoyable if they are left with unanswered questions about the case.
This was a fabulous read  and I tried to make it last as long as possible until the other books I have ordered in the series arrive in the post.
Skye is as wonderful as ever and  wedding stress is causing a little comfort eating from time to time which is hilarious and just proves how gutsy she is considering she has a wedding dress to get in to.
This book has really cemented my feelings about how good Wally and Skye are, they are a solid team. We see a lot of our favourite characters from previous books here esp all of Skye's family.
This book was just plain wonderful from the opening page to the very last one and it left me with a huge smile on my face. Denise's next book after this is going to be out March 2014 and is called
Dead Between The Lines. This will give me plenty of time to catch up on all her other books. xxxx

Reading This Weekend.

My Friday night reading is all planned out... With my new favourite cup and a lovely scented candle called Real Luxury by Neom.

Hi guys! It's Friday again and here is another stack of books I am hoping to get through.
The first book arrived in the post today for review from the lovely people over at lovereading.co.uk.. I had intended to wait to read it in a few days but I read the first few pages then became so intrigued that I could not put it down so I am hoping to finish it this weekend.

Butterflies in November by Audur Ava Olafsdottir is going to be released in November .



The next book I am finishing is Murder of A Stacked Librarian by Denise Swanson.. I have adored this book !!!Skye has quickly become one of my very favourite characters from cozy mystery series.

This book I will be starting.

This book I will be finishing.

So guys, what are you all reading? Have you read any of the books above? If you have let me now in the comments below. Wishing you a lovely evening and  I will be talking to you all again tomorrow.

My New Videos And Some Cake

One of the most delicious desserts I have ever had. Toblerone Cheesecake. Seriously yum!! Caramel ice-cream on the side. I slept content that night.....
Now on to the books.
I am currently still reading the below book. It is sooooo good. I am trying to make it last as I am waiting for other books in the series to arrive.

I put up two new videos on my youtube channel this evening . Please find links below to both videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6dxgDPbWSQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvdaQgA0b3g